Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hats. The Williams Lake Stampede will return in 2022, said Williams Lake Stampede Association President Court Smith during Tuesday's City Council Meeting.
"COVID was tough on all of us, so we're really excited," Smith said. "We're excited to engage our valued sponsors and volunteers, and we're pumped ... We can be at 100 per cent capacity: 4,200 in the grandstand."
Smith said three daily pro rodeo performances will be held on Thursday, June 30, Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2, before a local ranch rodeo and pro bullriding event takes place on Sunday, July 3.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to help out, or to inquire about sponsorship, can email info@williamslakestampede.com.
The Williams Lake Stampede has been cancelled for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COMMUNITY GROUP TO ORGANIZE STAMPEDE PARADE
Thanking the Williams Lake Daybreak Rotary Club for its past 16 years of dedication to organizing the Williams Lake Stampede Parade, resident Willie Dye told Council Tuesday he plans to lead a community group in taking up the reins after, earlier this year, Daybreak Rotary announced it could no longer host the beloved community event.
"If they hadn't been doing it I wouldn't be standing here," Dye said. "They did a fabulous job, and I think people in the community want to have a parade, a street party, a rodeo, a Stampede. Locals love the whole event, and they are all intermingled."
During the meeting, Council approved one-time funding of up to $15,000 to assist with the parade, and one-time funding of up to $10,000 to be provided to a community group being led by another Williams Lake resident, Sunny Dyck, to organize the annual Street Party also held during Stampede weekend.
COUNCIL PROVIDES LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO GOLF CLUB
The Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club will receive a letter of support from Council for its application to the 2022 Northern Development Initiative Trust(NDIT) Recreation Infrastructure Grant Program, and an additional letter of support for its application to the Province's Community Gaming Grant Program.
COUNCIL ENDORSES EARLY BUDGET APPROVAL FOR ASPHALT REHABILITATION
Council agreed to give early budget approval in the amount of $1,775,000for asphalt rehabilitation in 2022 to take advantage of savings from early tenders and to maximize warm construction weather.
RIVER VALLEY BRIDGES BUDGET INCREASED: STAFF TO LOOK AT POSSIBILITY FOR PARTIAL REOPENING OF TRAIL
Council amended the River Valley Flood Remediation Bridge 1-14 tender award of $2,115,872.50 to $2,132,772.50 to correct a clerical error. Council also approved increases of $86,749 ($17,349.80 City share) and $358,398($71,679 City share) to bridge engineering budgets in advance of receiving Disaster Financial Assistance approval of the amendments.
Jeff Bernardy, City of Williams Lake Engineering Technologist, said the City plans for a full reopening of the River Valley in the spring of 2023; however, Council asked staff to explore the option of safely opening portions of the trail earlier for public use.
ENHANCED SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE REFERRED TO BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
Council agreed to look into budgeting options for additional staff and a sidewalk machine for snow removal. The report will be referred to a budget meeting for further discussion.
REGIONAL COST SHARING OPTIONS OF PARKS AND TRAILS EXPLORED
Council requested the Cariboo Regional District Board work in partnership with the City to investigate options for regional parks and trails cost sharing starting in the 2023 budget cycle. Council proposed the matter be referred to the entire CRD board of directors in an effort to work together.
COUN. BRENNER APPOINTED IRRC CHAIR
Coun. Marnie Brenner was appointed Chair of the newly-formed Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Committee.
ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES COMMISION PROPOSALS CAUSE CONCERN
A letter from the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission drew concern from members of Council.
The letter invites the City to express views on the Province's current electoral district boundaries as the Commission plans to review areas, names and boundaries of provincial electoral districts. Council said they worry that representation in rural electoral boundaries will be reduced, and added they would attempt to schedule a meeting with Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson to discuss the matter and to provide suggestions to the commission.